Cotting School President David Manzo to retire in September, COO Bridget Irish becomes Cotting’s 7th President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEXINGTON, Mass., January 15, 2021—Cotting School, whose mission is to enable students with special needs to achieve their highest learning potential and level of independence, announced today that President and Executive Director David Manzo will retire in September 2021 after serving 17 years as the school’s sixth President.

Mr. Manzo will be succeeded by Bridget Irish, who has served since 2006 as Cotting’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President.

Over his tenure as President of Cotting School, Mr. Manzo has led improvements in curriculum, therapeutic and educational services and most notably, technology advancements, to assist students, faculty and staff, in working to break down barriers to learning for students with disabilities. He has expanded the school campus from 14 acres to 21 and led a $10 million capital campaign to build a new 25,000 square foot campus center that will open in August.

“Nearly 17 years ago I was honored and humbled when Cotting School’s Board of Trustees named me only their sixth President since the school’s founding in 1893,’’ Mr. Manzo said. “Although my mom, Elaine Manzo, who had a disability, died 30 years ago, our students at Cotting School remind me daily of the lessons she taught me: never underestimate a person with a disability, look for the strength in people and not their weakness, treat everyone with respect and dignity, always increase opportunities for independence, and create a warm and welcoming environment. In my tenure at Cotting School, I hope that I have succeeded in meeting her goals.”

Michael Durkin, Chair of the school’s board of trustees, “David leaves a powerful legacy for every family and every student involved with the School. His 17 years at Cotting have cultivated an inclusive community that creates opportunities for every person who comes our way to become their best, and Dave will leave Cotting on a path to continued future success.”

“Our board is delighted that Bridget Irish will become our new president,’’ Mr. Durkin added. “Over the past 15 years as our Chief Operating Officer, Bridget has demonstrated management prowess, helped build a top-notch faculty and staff, and demonstrated a passion for working with our students and their families to help them achieve all they can. This will be a seamless transition that allows Cotting to keep building on a strong foundation.’’

Raymond L. Killian, Cotting School Trustee Emeritus, who has worked with Ms. Irish extensively in the past, had this to say about the transition: “Cotting has made, yet again, another excellent decision in choosing Bridget Irish to succeed Dave Manzo as its leader. Bridget is one of the most competent executives I have ever had the good fortune to work with while Chairman and CEO at Investment Technology Group. Cotting is in good hands as it continues to serve the needs of our children.”

Ms. Irish said, “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve as Cotting’s president, only the seventh head of school in 128 years, which is a testament to the tradition of dedication and continuity of leadership at our school. I look forward to continuing to strengthen Cotting School’s partnerships with parents, districts, donors, and long-standing friends, all of whom contribute their considerable time and talents to our students. Together, we are dedicated to the academic, therapeutic, technological, and social excellence that define Cotting School.”

Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker, Executive Director of the Association of Approved Schools (MAAPS), the statewide association of schools serving students with special needs, said, "Both at Cotting School and as MAAPS President and its longest-serving board member for 37 years, Dave Manzo has been an inspiring champion and positive change-maker for students with special needs across our state and nation. An optimist, a strategist, an extrovert, a friend, Dave is many things to so many of us. We will miss him, but will never forget the impact he has made while serving our students.’’

Close collaboration with government leaders, both at Cotting and through MAAPS, has been a hallmark of Mr. Manzo’s tenure at the school, including hosting “Invite your Legislator to School Days” typically attended by more than 40 Massachusetts and New Hampshire legislators and legislative aides to educate them about Cotting’s work, and in general, and to advocate for funding for students with disabilities.

Mr. Manzo has served on the boards of many schools and non-profit organizations in Massachusetts. Since 1980, he has also served as a lecturer in the PULSE Program at College’s Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. He earned his bachelor’s degree in theology, summa cum laude, from , where he was named Scholar of the College, and a master’s in education with a concentration in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University.

Prior to working at Cotting, Ms. Irish spent a significant part of her career working in the financial services industry. A volunteer opportunity at Cotting in 2005 led to her growing interest and passion for the students Cotting serves and a desire to put her management and finance expertise to work for the school was actualized in 2006. She serves in volunteer roles with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Special Education Schools (MAAPS). Ms. Irish, who grew up in Vermont, earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from and master’s in business administration, magna cum laude, from Babson College.

ABOUT COTTING SCHOOL

Founded in 1893, Cotting’s mission is to enable students with special needs to achieve their highest learning potential and level of independence. Today Cotting’s day school serves 110 students ages 3-22 from 70 cities and towns from Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Cotting’s continuum of services also includes HOPEhouse, a transitional boarding school program for students ages 17-22 offering opportunities for students to practice independent living skills in a supportive group setting, and Cotting Consulting, an outreach program partnering with public school districts to provide an array of integrated services for students with a broad spectrum of learning and communication disabilities and learning challenges. Cotting School is located at 453 Concord Avenue, Lexington, Mass. 02421. For additional information, call 781-862-7323, visit http://www.cotting.org.org, follow our social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @CottingSchool, or email [email protected].